Bloom

She works at a vet clinic a few blocks from Wild Lilac, so I suggested the café that I’d met Keats at.

Tilly showed up looking green around the edges.

Morning sickness is kicking her ass, so I bought her an herbal tea and plopped myself down at a table across from her.

My first appointment wasn’t until noon, and her shift didn’t start until ten, so we talked.

Actually, Tilly talked.

We’ve become close since she married my oldest brother. She’s as much a sister to me as Nikita is. Sophia, Nicholas’s wife, is too.

I’m damn lucky to have so many strong women in my life.

By the time Tilly had confessed all of her fears about being a first-time mom, she had to leave for work.

I didn’t have a chance to talk about Athena with her, so I invited her to the flower arranging class with me.

She was in until I was out.

Work kept me away from Wild Lilac.

I’m still at my office, waiting for a woman who lost her sister two months ago. We’ve been working through the guilt she’s experiencing. They were supposed to take a Caribbean cruise together, but an argument kept one of them on dry land.

The other had a fatal heart attack on the third day of her trip.

“I’m taking off.” Audrey taps the open door of my office. “I wanted to say that it was fun hanging out with you last night.”

I offer a smile in response because I don’t remember much about dinner at Axel Tribeca other than how Athena looked.

Taking a step into my office, Audrey lowers her gaze. “Athena’s situation is tragic, isn’t it?”

That perks both my brows. “Tragic? How so?”

“Her mom and her step-dad.” She juts out her chin. “I didn’t want to say anything to her about it, but damn that’s a heavy load for a young woman to carry around with her for the rest of her life.”

What the actual fuck is she talking about?

I don’t view Google as an ally when it comes to dating. I’ve never searched online for insider information on any of the women I’ve been involved with.

If there’s something about them they want me to know, I trust they’ll share it.

Audrey crosses her arms over her chest. “I don’t personally know anyone who lost their life savings to those two, but plenty of people in this city were robbed blind by Simone Millett and her husband. It takes courage for Athena to hold her head up high and walk around this city. I don’t think I could do it if I were her.”

The sins of the parent should never be a burden for their child.

My dad said those words to my siblings and me when he was shot in the leg in the line of duty. I went to school with the kid of the man who pulled the trigger.

It was my first tangible lesson in the power of forgiveness.

Rising to my feet, I adjust the buckle of my belt. “Athena is an incredible woman. She’s her own person. I never judge someone on the actions of another.”

Audrey steps back. “I don’t either, Wolf.”

The lines between judgment and gossip are blurry to some, including Audrey.

Ending this conversation now is what I need, so I do it. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She takes the hint and turns to walk away. “Goodnight, Wolf.”